Vehicle bumper assembly

Abstract

Vehicle bumper assembly including a bumper body, a pair of lamp modules and one or more controllers. The bumper body is configured to be arranged at least partially across one of a front and rear end of the vehicle (not illustrated). The body defines opposed sides. The pair of lamp modules are mounted to the bumper body to be spaced from each other and towards one of the sides. Each lamp module includes one or more light emitting units arranged to extend at least partially across the lamp module. The, or each, controller is configured to operate one or both of the lamp modules to cause the one or more light emitting units to sequentially illuminate to indicate a turn direction of the vehicle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle bumper assembly including:
 a bumper body configured to be arranged at least partially across one of a front and rear end of the vehicle, the bumper body defining opposed sides; 
 a pair of lamp modules mounted to the bumper body to be spaced from each other and towards one of the sides, each lamp module including one or more light emitting units arranged to extend at least partially across the lamp module; and 
 a controller configured to operate one or both of the lamp modules to cause the one or more light emitting units to sequentially illuminate to indicate a turn direction of the vehicle, 
 wherein each lamp module includes an array of light emitting units arranged to be at least partially linear, a lens shaped to cover the array of light emitting units, and a diffuser arranged between the array of light emitting units and the lens to receive light emitted from the light emitting units, the diffuser having a front side defining a plurality of distinct light emitting portions and a rear side arranged adjacent the light emitting units and defining a plurality of distinct light receiving portions, wherein each light emitting portion defines at least one of faceted and non-planar geometry. 
 
     
     
       2. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper body has a central portion between the opposed sides, and wherein the controller is configured to operate one or both of the lamp modules to cause the one or more light emitting units to initially illuminate a first location arranged proximally to the central portion, and then cause the one or more of the light emitting units to sequentially illuminate locations spaced from the first location and towards one of the sides. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to operate one or both of the lamp modules to cause the one or more light emitting units to sequentially and progressively illuminate locations across the lamp module. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting portions are arranged to form a saw-tooth shaped front face. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each light receiving portion is arranged to generally extend at an angle relative to one of the light emitting units. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein each light emitting portion is arranged opposite and at an opposed angle to one of the light receiving portions. 
     
     
       7. The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each light emitting portion is arranged at a mirrored angle to the angle of the associated light receiving portion. 
     
     
       8. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each light receiving portion defines two notional receiving planes arranged at an angle to each other to form a peak, and each peak is arranged towards one of the light emitting units. 
     
     
       9. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each light emitting portion defines two notional emitting planes arranged at an angle to each other. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each lamp module is configured as a cluster including one or more of a fog light unit, and a daytime running light unit. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a grille structure and each lamp module includes a grille portion shaped and arranged to be complementary to the grille structure. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bumper body is configured to be retro-fitted to a vehicle. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of  claim 12  configured as a motor vehicle frontal protection system and wherein the bumper body comprises a substantially rigid structure configured to withstand impact.